Nili Fossae

The channels in this VIS image are part of Nili Fossae. Nili Fossae is a collection of curved faults and down-dropped blocks of crust between the faults (called graben). The graben lie northeast of the large volcano Syrtis Major and northwest of the ancient impact basin Isidis Planitia. The graben make concentric curves that follow the outline of Isidis Planitia; the faults likely formed as the crust sagged under the weight of lava flows filling the Isidis basin.